A doctor was killed on Monday morning by a patient at a hospital in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said.

Sun Dongtao, head of the ear, nose and throat department of a hospital affiliated with the state-owned Beiman Special Steel Co. Ltd in Qiqihar City, was repeatedly hit on the head with an iron bar at about 10 a.m. when performing his outpatient care duties, according to police.

Sun died after emergency treatment failed.

The suspect, surnamed Qi, a local resident who had a nose illness, was unhappy with treatment he received from Sun and wanted revenge, according to an initial police investigation.

Armed with a 50-cm-long iron tube, Qi broke into the outpatient room and attacked Sun. He was later caught by police.

Attacks on medical staff have been frequently reported in China. In late October in east China's Zhejiang Province, a doctor, also in an ear, nose and throat department, was stabbed to death.

In 2012, 11 violent attacks on medical staff occurred in hospitals in eight provinces and municipalities, killing seven people and injuring 28, including doctors, patients and a security guard, according to a joint statement issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Ministry of Public Security last October.

Security equipment should be installed to prevent knives and other dangerous items being taken into hospitals. Video surveillance should be improved, according to the statement.

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